Category: Advocacy, ODPAC & Legislation

Ohio law has long provided incentives for health care professionals to provide free care to indigent patients. In December, Gov. John Kasich signed two pieces of legislation that will enhance volunteer opportunities. House Bill 320, introduced by State Rep. Ron Young (R-Leroy Township) and passed by the legislature on Dec. 4, 2014, extends ... [continue reading]

House Bill 463, The Ohio Dental Care Modernization Act promoted by the ODA, was signed into law by Gov. John Kasich last month after unanimous approval from the legislature. Among its many provisions to promote increased access to comprehensive dental services, the new law offers additional incentives for new graduates to practice in the ... [continue reading]

A strong grassroots political network is essential to any organization hoping to impact public policy decisions. The leadership of the Ohio Dental Association recognized this years ago and has placed political advocacy as one of its high priorities in order to protect the interests of dentists at the Statehouse and in the halls of Congress. The ... [continue reading]

In April, over 100 Ohio Dental Association member dentists and 50 dental students visited Columbus to meet with legislators and discuss the legislative issues of importance to dentistry as part of the annual ODA Day at the Statehouse. Their participation could not have come at a better time. The legislature is nearing completion of its work before ... [continue reading]

Day at the Statehouse, the Ohio Dental Association's most important legislative advocacy event, is set for Wednesday, April 9, at the Sheraton on Capitol Square in Columbus. The 2014 ODA Day at the Statehouse will be April 9 at the Sheraton on Capitol Square. Attendees will meet with their legislators to discuss issues important ... [continue reading]

“One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors.” – Plato Think about that quote for a second. No, really think about it. Calling someone inferior is certainly a harsh critique, but I am only talking in terms of dental education. Do you think your state legislators have an ... [continue reading]

ODA Staff Dr. Kip Beals, a general dentist from Marion, meets with state Rep. Dorothy Pelanda at last year’s Day at the Statehouse. This year’s event will be April 9 in Columbus. Day at the Statehouse, the Ohio Dental Association's most important legislative advocacy event, is set for Wednesday, April 9, in downtown ... [continue reading]

Despite passing two comprehensive overhauls of Ohio’s prescription drug regulations last legislative session, the Ohio General Assembly continues to aggressively pursue legislative solutions to Ohio’s opioid problem.  This fall, members of the House of Representatives introduced at least 12 separate bills aimed at addressing opioid abuse and ... [continue reading]

In September, the Ohio Dental Association’s House of Delegates overwhelmingly approved a comprehensive list of legislative initiatives developed by the Task Force on Access to Care and Auxiliary Utilization aimed at improving access to quality, comprehensive dental care. The initiatives are a collection of recommendations compiled by the task ... [continue reading]

In 2010, the Ohio General Assembly, with the backing of the Ohio Dental Association and Ohio Dental Hygienists' Association, created the Oral Health Access Supervision Program (OHASP). OHASP allows dentists to utilize dental hygienists in designated underserved locations outside of the traditional office setting under a relaxed level of ... [continue reading]